Fun Things To Do for Seniors Around Charlotte
Charlotte is a thriving area with a growing population and was recently on Forbes List of Best Places To Retire. Really good news if you are an active senior looking for something fun to do in and around Charlotte. Whether you’re into outdoor activities, cultural events, sporting activities, unique food experiences, the brewery scene or fun things to do with your grandkids and family members, the Queen City offers it up!
Food Tours & Foodies
No wonder Charlotte consistently lands on Food & Wine Magazine, OpenTable and Thrillist ‘Best Of’ lists. Check out some Charlotte Food Tours:
FEAST Food Tours is a walking tour allowing you to sample the amazing cuisine of several Charlotte neighborhoods. These tours are expertly guided informing you of the yummy culinary delights you’re devouring.
Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours allows you to explore Uptown Charlotte with two excursions: The Spirit of Charlotte or the Local to Charlotte, rooted in North Carolina. Either excursion will allow you to not only sample chef creations but also learn about the Queen City’s rich history.
Taste and Glide Segway Tour if you’re looking to try some of Charlotte’s most popular culinary delights. You will savor Mert’s Heart & Soul and all that 7th Street Public Market dishes out.
Southern Food Bicycle Tour any bicycle enthusiast among us? Try this three-hour bike food tour stopping to savor Charlotte’s best-fried chicken and bbq restaurants.
Halcyon Flavors for the Earth why not explore a bit of art and their small plate samplings at the Mint Museum Uptown? After your dining experience, you will be taken on a one-hour, guided tour that explores the museum’s art collections.
Calling All Sports Fans!
Charlotte is home to nearly every level of popular sports. Support the home team no matter your favorite sport.
Carolina Panthers (NFL) Check out the football team that has won six division titles as they play home games at the Bank of America Stadium. Interesting fact, the Panthers are one of the few teams that own the stadium in which they play.
Hornets (NBA) Professional basketball team plays their home games at Spectrum Center. Check out their upcoming schedule and get a season membership.
Checkers (AHL) See the Checkers score a goal! Watch them play their home games at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Charlotte Knights (MLB) Strike! The Season starts in April for this Triple-A team at the BB&T Ballpark home.
Charlotte Independence (USL) Founded in 2014, this professional league plays home games at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews.
NASCAR Feel the need for speed? Known for their stock car racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Take one of the daily behind-the-scenes tours of the Speedway, Dirt Track, and zMax Dragway.
Play Outside
Enjoy the beautiful fresh air while exploring all that Charlotte has to offer. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes there is a lot to see!
Lake Norman for a great place to fish, paddleboard, boat, kayak or just hang and soak up the rays. Beautiful Lake Norman will get you back on the water, just 20 miles north to Uptown and the largest man-made lake in the Carolinas.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden allows you to explore and reconnect with nature through breathtaking gardens, fountains and a beautiful oasis of tropical plants, orchids, and visitor pavilion. You can also sign up for a painting class or take a meditation class.
UNC Botanical Gardens is like a living classroom for those interested in learning about native and non-native plant life in North Carolina. They also offer gardening classes and other events during the year.
Crowders Mountain State Park located west of Charlotte offers 11 hiking trails ranging in difficulty levels while enjoying the views of flower-filled meadows and a 7-acre lake.
Queen’s Landing Sightseeing & Dinner Cruises dine while touring on the Catawba Queen Mississippi riverboat or Lady of the Lake luxury yacht on Lake Norman. Take in an open-air sightseeing tour while learning the history of Lake Norman.
Add A Little Culture to Your Life
There's a lot of culture in Charlotte and here are some of the best locations to engage those senses.
Levine Museum of the New South an interactive museum showing life in the region post-Civil and featuring the growth of Charlotte and the South. Talk with a historian, attend programs for different ages and interests.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is a stunning modern art museum displaying a 17-foot-tall ‘Firebird” or as the locals call him...Disco Chicken. Stroll the 36,500-square-foot space soaking up beautiful mid-20th-century modern art.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is the community’s epicenter for celebrating the contributions of Africans and African- Americans to American culture. The center offers stunning music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature, and community outreach programs benefiting Charlotte.
Mint Museum Uptown set in a beautiful park setting and once the original United States Mint, the now galleries showcase European, African and art of the Americas; including over 18,000 volumes in the reference library.
Blumenthal Performing Arts puts on more than 18 weeks of top Broadway shows each year, along with hosting fun festivals, concerts, comedy, and dance performances, including the Charlotte Jazz Festival.
Any History Buffs Out There?
Let the learning begin! Charlotte is filled with opportunities to learn more about its history by going to a museum or library. The choices are endless.
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Take a visit here to see what it was like to take flight in a variety of aircraft, some that played a major role in the Vietnam War.
The Charlotte Museum of History home to the county’s oldest surviving structure, Hezekiah Alexander Homesite and a place to learn about the Carolina Backcountry including the events leading up to the American Revolution.
Wells Fargo History Museum learn about the first gold rush in America, enjoy tales of the ‘49ers and how their experiences still have an impact on us today. Take a tour and learn the history of banking and how Wells Fargo played a huge role in the industry.
The Billy Graham Library experience through photos, memorabilia, presentations, and interactive kiosks how Billy Graham journeyed from a North Carolina dairy farm to an international pastor.
North Carolina Music Hall of Fame learn about some of North Carolina’s best musical composers and performers. Enjoy memorabilia from very well known entertainers who have North Carolina roots, like James Taylor, Charlie Daniels, Kellie Pickler, Randy Travis, Clay Aiken, and Ben Folds just to name a few!
Beer Anyone?
There are over 30 breweries in Charlotte...there truly is something for everyone.
See what’s on tap at these Charlotte breweries.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Always cold and always local! The Founder of OMB says “not everything can be made local, but beer can and should be”. Also, you will never get a beer that is room temperature. While you're there enjoy German fare, salads, and burgers.
NoDa Brewing Company. Open since 2011 and the second oldest brewery located on N. Tryon and Davidson, this taproom offers tours, live music and other entertainment for your enjoyment. Choose from seasonal, specialty and limited-release brews in locations on N. Tryon and Davidson Street.
Triple C Brewing Company. This two (2) bronze medals winning 3C IPA brewery in 2015 at the Great American Beer Festival opened in 2012, offers numerous IPA’s on tap. Triple C located in South End of Charlotte gives back and hosts events in support of the community.
Wooden Robot located in a 15-barrel urban farmhouse using 100% malt and specialty ingredients while supporting local farms. Rotating food truck at the South End location and Billy Jacks delivers to the NoDa location. Also, dogs are allowed.
Grab your grandkids, family, and friends for some outdoor activities, cultural events, sporting activities, or things to do in Charlotte. No more excuses, time to get out there to explore and enjoy!
